Regional

8:27 pm

Tue February 2, 2010

Cell Phone Use While Driving Fine Schedule

Las Cruces – The Las Cruces City Council has approved penalties for violations of the city ordinance that prohibits the use of cell phones while driving, without the use of hands free devices that becomes effective Friday, Feb. 5th.

Penalties are:

First offense: Fixed fine of $25.Second offense: Fixed fine of $50.Third or subsequent offense: Up to a maximum of 90 days in jail and a $500 fine, or both.

All violations will require a mandatory court appearance before a municipal court judge.

On December 7th, 2009, the city council approved an amendment to the City's traffic ordinance to prohibit cell phone use while driving within city limits, which includes engaging in a phone call, creating, sending or reading text messages ande-mails.